Navigating the world of hot flashes is easier than ever \u2014 but are telehealth options like Gennev and Midi a good idea?<\/p>\n
Menopause is having a moment.\u00a0Celebrities are speaking up<\/a>, the menopause wellness industry is booming and there’s a good chance your Insta feed is overflowing with #menobelly content. But there’s still one place where “menopause” remains something of a whisper: the doctor’s office.<\/p>\n Scratch that\u00a0<\/em>\u2014 more often than not, it’s your brick-and-mortar doctor’s office where menopause is still treated like a side note, if it’s addressed at all.<\/p>\n Enter the age of menopause telehealth \u2014 where online clinics are reshaping how women access midlife care, one video visit at a time.\u00a0Roughly 42% of women<\/a> now use telemedicine, according to the latest data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. And specialized menopause clinics \u2014 like Midi Health, MenopauseRX and others \u2014 have exploded onto the scene in response, with multiple startups launching in just the past few years.<\/p>\n As\u00a0Dr. Sherry Ross<\/a>, ob-gyn at Providence Saint John’s Health Center in Santa Monica, Calif. and author of\u00a0She-ology<\/em><\/a>, puts it, “This surge in virtual\u00a0perimenopause<\/a>\u00a0and menopause care solves many of the ongoing problems with our current health care system.” But are online menopause clinics sacrificing quality for convenience? Here’s what you need to know:<\/p>\n <\/p>\n You\u00a0have<\/em>\u00a0a doctor. You trust them. Maybe they delivered your baby, got you through your\u00a0annual Pap<\/a>\u00a0with nary a wince or called in your UTI scripts approximately a zillion times. But when it comes to\u00a0perimenopause, menopause and postmenopause<\/a>? Even the most dependable physician might not be up to speed.<\/p>\n Carolyn G. from Napa, Calif., didn’t even bother reaching out to her regular doctor when her\u00a0menopausal symptoms<\/a>\u00a0flared. “A health coach recommended Midi, a telehealth option, and that’s where I found what I needed \u2014 someone who specialized specifically in menopause care.”<\/p>\n Her story isn’t unusual. A\u00a02025 survey<\/a>\u00a0of 1,000 women aged 45 to 60 found that nearly 71% said their doctor didn’t adequately prepare them for menopause \u2014 or offer a thorough discussion of treatment options.\u00a0Another 1,000 person survey<\/a>\u00a0found that 50% of women who have discussed menopause with their provider said\u00a0they<\/em> were the ones who initiated the conversation \u2014 not their physician.<\/p>\n Part of the problem? Most medical training barely touches menopause. According to a\u00a02019 Mayo Clinic report<\/a>, only 7% of medical residents said they felt prepared to manage it.<\/p>\n To put it simply, “there’s an urgent need for appropriate menopause care, and telehealth platforms can fulfill some of this need,” says\u00a0Dr. Robin Noble<\/a>, a gynecologist in Portland, Maine, and the chief medical adviser at\u00a0Let’s Talk Menopause<\/a>, a nonprofit working to improve menopause care.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Before the pandemic, nearly every woman \u2014 92% \u2014 wanted to see their menopause provider face-to-face. By 2022, that number slid to 71%, according to a report in the journal\u00a0Patient Related Outcome Measures<\/a>, reflecting a clear trend: Women are becoming more comfortable turning to screens for symptom relief, answers and evidence-based support. And providers get it.<\/p>\n “Same-day care in the comfort of your home, affordable and flexible scheduling and easy access to knowledgeable providers \u2014 that’s a big win when you need life-changing guidance through the hormonal chaos of menopause,” says Ross. But it’s not just about convenience. Telehealth allows health care providers to reach\u00a0women in menopause<\/a>\u00a0in underserved areas where there’s a paucity of certified menopause specialists, as noted in a\u00a0video<\/a>\u00a0released by\u00a0the Menopause Society<\/a>.<\/p>\n Hot flashes<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n Night sweats<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n Sleep problems<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n Mood changes<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n Weight gain<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n Low libido<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n Vaginal dryness (in some cases)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n For many women, virtual care has been a turning point. Two years after Carolyn G. started her menopause telehealth journey, she reports that the care she’s received has been “nothing short of transformative.”<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Still, not every woman going through menopause can \u2014 or should \u2014 turn to online clinics for guidance and treatment. According to an editorial in the journal\u00a0Climacteric<\/a>, many women with co-morbidities don’t fit in the menopause-only telehealth model. Telemedicine simply can’t replace regular clinical examinations and in-depth screenings. It’s nearly impossible for a virtual menopause visit to properly address acute clinical problems such as vaginal discharge, unexpected bleeding or breast lumps.<\/p>\n Noble agrees, says that “abnormal bleeding, postmenopausal bleeding, vaginal discharge and breast masses are symptoms that should always be managed in person.” These symptoms can point to more serious issues that require a physical exam or additional testing.<\/p>\n Even vaginal dryness, which is often addressed virtually, has its limitations. “Symptoms like vulvar dryness or irritation may be caused by other conditions \u2014 such as\u00a0vulvar dermatoses<\/a>\u00a0\u2014 that can’t be properly diagnosed without an in-person visit,” says Faubion.<\/p>\n Ross adds that when symptoms are complex or unclear, it’s safest to see someone face-to-face. Not sure when to see someone in person? Here’s when it matters most:<\/p>\n Irregular or postmenopausal bleeding<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n Painful intercourse<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n Vaginal irritation or discharge<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n Urinary issues<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n Breast or skin changes<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n Dizziness or vertigo<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n Persistent headaches<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n Unexplained fatigue<\/p>\n <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n While dutifully typing “how to find a menopause telehealth provider” into your search engine is certainly one way to start looking, it may not be the best strategy. Here’s how to skip the digital noise and find care that actually fits.<\/p>\n Contact your insurance provider.<\/strong>\u00a0Not appealing, we know! But knowing what’s covered and what’s not is a great starting point. Aetna, for example, covers virtual visits to both\u00a0Midi<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0Gennev<\/a>, but you’ll still need to double-check your own benefits because coverage varies wildly. Also ask whether lab work and prescription therapies are included.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n Look beyond teleclinics:\u00a0<\/strong>While it’s no doubt a struggle to locate an in-person menopause specialist, many traditional providers offer telehealth appointments. In fact, the\u00a0CDC<\/a>\u00a0reports that nearly 60% of medical specialists now use telemedicine for at least a quarter of their patient visits \u2014 and a solid 1 in 4 use it for half or more. That means your local gynecologist \u2014 or meno rock star, if you’re lucky \u2014 might already offer virtual care. Even Faubion, who’s also director of the Mayo Clinic Center for Women’s Health in Jacksonville, Fla., offers video visits for her patients with menopause.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n Find a certified specialist.\u00a0<\/strong>“At a minimum, your provider needs to have a medical license, and ideally they should be certified in menopause management by the Menopause Society, known as a Menopause Society Certified Practitioner (MSCP),” says Faubion. To locate a care provider who fits the bill, search\u00a0the Menopause Society directory<\/a>. It’s not exhaustive, but it’s one of the best places to start.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n Check for smart safeguards.\u00a0<\/strong>“Telehealth companies should have clear policies on data privacy and storage, security measures for patient-doctor communication, secure login protocols, compliance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and easy customer support access,” says Ross.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n Ask around.\u00a0<\/strong>Look beyond the homepage hype \u2014 real users will tell you how responsive the care team is, whether prescriptions were personalized and if the costs were what they expected. Start by asking friends, family and even colleagues if you’re comfortable. Then, of course, Google the platform name plus \u2018reviews,’ checking resources like\u00a0Trustpilot<\/a>\u00a0and Reddit.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n Online menopause care can be convenient and effective \u2014 but not every clinic is created equal. Here’s what to watch for.<\/p>\n Rushing through your medical history:\u00a0<\/strong>“From what I’ve seen, most online platforms don’t take a good medical history,” says Faubion. Quality menopause care starts with understanding your complete health picture, including a comprehensive review of your physical and mental health history, current symptoms and any medications you’re taking.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n Dropping the ball with follow-ups:\u00a0<\/strong>“These platforms can help with access, but they don’t always deliver ongoing follow-up \u2014 and that’s a problem,” says Noble. Proper care requires regular monitoring of your progress as well as communication with your broader care team when needed.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n Lacking teamwork:\u00a0<\/strong>“My biggest concern is not the online model itself \u2014 it’s the lack of integration with a patient’s other medical care that’s troubling,” says Faubion. Coordinated care matters, especially for patients managing other health issues alongside menopause. Without it, important context can be missed \u2014 and that can affect treatment safety and outcomes.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n Pushing unnecessary testing:\u00a0<\/strong>Here’s something that might surprise you: hormone testing is neither required nor recommended before starting hormone therapy,\u00a0according to experts<\/a>. That’s because there’s no ideal targeted hormone level that determines safe and effective HRT dosage. In most cases, symptoms \u2014 not lab results \u2014 should guide treatment. Always ask how a test will inform your treatment.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n Pressuring you to buy their products:\u00a0<\/strong>“The emphasis should always be on patient care, education and treatment management \u2014 not on selling supplements or in-house products,” says Ross. “If you feel pressured to buy in-house products over receiving quality care, you may not be using the right company for your medical needs.” Instead, look for companies that send prescriptions to independent pharmacies \u2014 it’s a good sign that the provider is prioritizing your health over their sales.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n Telehealth works best when you’re prepared. Before your appointment, make notes about:<\/p>\n Bothersome symptoms<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n Medical and family history<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n Current medications<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n Any recent test results that might be relevant<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n At the same time, “think about your goals and preferences \u2014\u00a0are you open to hormone therapy?<\/a>\u00a0Do you want lifestyle-focused recommendations?” says Noble. “Having clarity going in makes the visit far more productive.”<\/p>\n Once you’re on, ask what to expect from treatment, what to do if side effects come up and whether follow-ups are built in. “Patients should ask whether the provider will monitor for effectiveness and communicate with their existing care team,” says Faubion. “Also ask if they’ll review or order routine screenings like mammograms and Pap smears, and follow up on the results if needed.”<\/p>\n The more you bring to the table, the more useful and personalized your virtual visit will be.<\/p>\n There are a lot of online menopause clinics out there so finding the right one takes some effort. While this is in no way a complete list, here are a handful that we think are worth looking into:<\/p>\n Midi earns an impressive\u00a0“Excellent” rating from Trustpilot<\/a>\u00a0and is staffed by clinicians trained specifically in menopause and midlife health. They accept insurance (including Medicare in some states), offer built-in follow-up and care coordination and allow prescriptions to be filled at the pharmacy of your choice. Plus, Midi is available in all 50 states.<\/p>\n While not as wide-reaching as Midi, MyMenopauseRX (available in 29 states) offers appointments with certified menopause specialists, they accept insurance and allow patients to fill prescriptions at their preferred pharmacy. The fact that “Rx” is in the name is a little off-putting \u2014 and some reviewers do feel like HRT is being heavily promoted \u2014 however, most of their Google reviews are positive, with one noting: “The level of compassion and care was impeccable.\u00a0I wasn’t treated like a number<\/a>.”<\/p>\n Available in all 50 states and accepted by insurance, Gennev offers virtual visits with board-certified, menopause-trained doctors who. if needed, can recommend follow-up care with menopause-trained dietitians or mental health specialists. And prescriptions be filled by outside pharmacies. While they do sell some branded wellness products, this isn’t central to their operation. Gennev’s limited\u00a0Trustpilot reviews<\/a>\u00a0leave a lot to be desired, but feedback in\u00a0Real Patient Reviews<\/a>\u00a0is stellar.<\/p>\n Maven Clinic is not quite like the others. While it does deliver online menopause care, it’s through your employer and health plan benefits. That means you can’t sign up directly unless it’s offered through your job. But if it is, you get access to menopause-trained ob-gyns, NPs, therapists, pelvic floor physical therapists, nutritionists and more. Right now, Maven’s menopause program is offered by around 40 employers (including Amazon, BuzzFeed and, yes, Yahoo). If it’s part of your benefits, it’s a strong option to consider. As one\u00a0Reddit user<\/a>\u00a0noted: “My Maven doctor was the first doctor to actually listen to me!”<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Samantha S. of Studio City, Calif., started her HRT journey with Midi Health after a colleague referral turned into a symptom breakthrough: “I don’t think I would have addressed my symptoms or started HRT if I hadn’t discovered Midi,” she says. “They educated me, enabled me to jump in, figure out what I needed and get started with treatment ASAP.”<\/p>\n Telehealth got her in the door \u2014 but after a couple of years, she made the switch to in-person care with a gynecologist. “I ultimately just felt like she had more experience and knowledge, and preferred working with an MD who had a higher level of training,” Samantha S. says. Her doctor helped fine-tune her treatment, adjusting dosage and delivery to better suit her needs.<\/p>\n Noble isn’t totally surprised. “Forming a trusted partnership between patient and healthcare provider is extremely important in an area of medicine like menopausal care, that is truly so nuanced and individualized,” she says. “And it’s simply more challenging to build that trust via telemedicine \u2014 but that doesn’t mean it can’t work.”<\/p>\n In the end, virtual menopause care can be a powerful starting point \u2014 one that gets you answers faster and helps you feel seen. But staying open to in-person expertise \u2014 especially as your care evolves \u2014 can make all the difference to your long-term results and experience as you navigate this phase of life.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Navigating the world of hot flashes is easier than ever \u2014 but are telehealth options like Gennev and Midi a good idea? Menopause is having a moment.\u00a0Celebrities are speaking up, the menopause wellness industry is booming and there’s a good chance your Insta feed is overflowing with #menobelly content. But there’s still one place where […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":875,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[9],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-668","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-articles"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/portfolio.zenkoders.com\/ai-powered\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/668","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/portfolio.zenkoders.com\/ai-powered\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/portfolio.zenkoders.com\/ai-powered\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/portfolio.zenkoders.com\/ai-powered\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/portfolio.zenkoders.com\/ai-powered\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=668"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/portfolio.zenkoders.com\/ai-powered\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/668\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":672,"href":"https:\/\/portfolio.zenkoders.com\/ai-powered\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/668\/revisions\/672"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/portfolio.zenkoders.com\/ai-powered\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/875"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/portfolio.zenkoders.com\/ai-powered\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=668"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/portfolio.zenkoders.com\/ai-powered\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=668"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/portfolio.zenkoders.com\/ai-powered\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=668"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}Why you might need a menopause specialist \u2014 not just your regular doctor<\/strong><\/h2>\n
How menopause telehealth works \u2014 and when it’s worth it<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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When virtual menopause care can fall short<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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How to find the best menopause telehealth provider for you<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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Red flags to watch for in online menopause clinics<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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How to prepare for a menopause telehealth visit<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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Best menopause telehealth clinics to consider<\/h2>\n
Midi Health<\/strong><\/a><\/h3>\n
MyMenopauseRx<\/strong><\/a><\/h3>\n
Gennev<\/strong><\/a><\/h3>\n
Maven Clinic<\/strong><\/a><\/h3>\n
Menopause telehealth: What to keep in mind moving forward<\/strong><\/h2>\n